Advertisement
Advertisement
habit
1[ hab-it ]
noun
- an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary:
the habit of looking both ways before crossing the street.
- customary practice or use:
Daily bathing is an American habit.
- a particular practice, custom, or usage:
the habit of shaking hands.
- a dominant or regular disposition or tendency; prevailing character or quality:
She has a habit of looking at the bright side of things.
- Often the habit. addiction, especially to narcotics.
- mental character or disposition:
a habit of mind.
- characteristic bodily or physical condition.
- the characteristic form, aspect, mode of growth, etc., of an organism:
a twining habit.
- the characteristic crystalline form of a mineral.
- garb of a particular rank, profession, religious order, etc.:
a monk's habit.
- the attire worn by a rider of a saddle horse.
habit
2[ hab-it ]
verb (used with object)
- Archaic. to dwell in.
verb (used without object)
- Obsolete. to dwell.
habit
/ ˈhæbɪt /
noun
- a tendency or disposition to act in a particular way
- established custom, usual practice, etc
- psychol a learned behavioural response that has become associated with a particular situation, esp one frequently repeated
- mental disposition or attitude
a good working habit of mind
- a practice or substance to which a person is addicted
drink has become a habit with him
- the state of being dependent on something, esp a drug
- botany zoology the method of growth, type of existence, behaviour, or general appearance of a plant or animal
a climbing habit
a burrowing habit
- the customary apparel of a particular occupation, rank, etc, now esp the costume of a nun or monk
- Also calledriding habit a woman's riding dress
- See crystal habitcrystallog short for crystal habit
habit
/ hăb′ĭt /
- The characteristic shape of a crystal, such as the cubic habit that is characteristic of pyrite.
- The characteristic manner of growth of a plant. For example, grape plants and ivy display a vining habit.
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of habit1
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of habit1
Discover More
Idioms and Phrases
- old habits die hard. old habits die hard.
More idioms and phrases containing habit
see kick a habit .Discover More
Synonym Study
Discover More
Example Sentences
Hollywood has developed a habit of relying on what worked best in the past, and 300 was hugely successful.
Does wildlife campaigner Prince Charles's hunting habit make him a hypocrite?
We still retain the 27 November habit, through sheer gluttony more than anything else.
Texas governors have a habit of running for president: Just ask Perry or former president George W. Bush.
Those who dream of a post-partisan future should note that paranoia has a habit of erasing traditional political boundaries.
She and her younger sister, Janet, had quarreled a good deal through force of unfortunate habit.
Doubtless the commentator habit is fixed in the nature of man; but it was pre-eminently mediaeval.
This habit and the fact that she cares more for color than for drawing are the usual criticisms of her pictures.
When d'Aubran entered, the Seneschal was composed and in his wonted habit of ponderous dignity.
To punish the habit, a Turk was seized and a pipe transfixed through his nose.
Advertisement
Word of the Day
[tawr-choo-uhs ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse